Multivariate tools to investigate the spatial contaminant distribution in a highly anthropized area (Gulf of Naples, Italy)

A severe contamination pattern in the Gulf of Naples, driven by anthropogenic pressures, has been identified through multivariate analysis. The study, conducted to evaluate sediment contaminants before a submarine power pipeline installation, revealed distinct contaminant hotspots in Torre Annunziata and Capri, while also highlighting the influence of depositional basins on contamination trends. Using supervised techniques like PLS_DA, researchers effectively analyzed complex datasets from marine surveys, pinpointing key variability trends in quality indicators. This approach offers valuable insights for targeted follow-up monitoring, ensuring more precise environmental assessments in highly anthropized coastal areas.

Mali, M., Di Leo, A., Giandomenico, S., Spada, L., Cardellicchio, N., Calò, M., Fedele, A., Ferraro, L., Milia, A., Renzi, M., Massara, F., Granata, T., Moruzzi, L., & Buonocunto, F. P. (2022). Multivariate tools to investigate the spatial contaminant distribution in a highly anthropized area (Gulf of Naples, Italy). Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(41), 62281–62298. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19989-z